In these children the vaccine should be postponed until the condition is corrected or stable. Children with progressive or unstable disease affecting the brain and nervous system, for example poorly controlled epilepsy.Children who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of this vaccine or other vaccines against these diseases.Children with a known allergy to any ingredient used in the manufacture of the vaccine (including formaldehyde and the antibiotics neomycin or polymixin).You don't need to postpone the vaccine for a minor illness like a cold. The vaccine should be postponed until after the child is better. Children who are ill with a fever (high temperature).If this applies to your child you can get further advice from your doctor. The vaccine may be less effective in children whose immune system is underactive, for example due to a genetic defect, HIV infection, or because they're having treatment with medicines that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy, high doses of corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants (eg to prevent transplant rejection).
The baby will be given three doses of this vaccine, at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age, alongside their other baby vaccines.If your child is naturally exposed to these bacteria, bacterial toxins or viruses, the antibodies allow the immune system to quickly recognise and attack them, which stops them from causing the diseases. The antibodies produced by the immune system remain in the body. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against these six organisms, without actually causing the diseases. These are: diphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid (produced by the bacteria that cause diphtheria and tetanus but modified so they don't cause disease), extracts from the bacteria that causes whooping cough ( Bordetella pertusssis) and protein extracts from the surface of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria.
This combination vaccine contains inactivated polio virus, protein extracts from the surface of the hepatitis B virus and inactivated extracts from the four different bacteria that cause diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and Hib disease.
A dose of the vaccine is given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. This vaccine will be offered to babies born on or after 1 August 2017, as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule.
Hib can cause serious diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Preventing diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B and infection with Haemophilus influenzae type B bacteria (Hib) in babies.What is the 6-in-1 baby vaccine used for?